14 March 2012

A Presentation of the English Department's William J. and Yvonne Hyde Colloquium Series.

As part of the 2011-2012 William J. and Yvonne Hyde English Department Colloquium Series, Dr. Ryan Friesen, English Department, will present "Conceiving and Consuming Fictions in Washington Irvings 'The Legend of Sleepy Hollow'." From the beginning of the "Legend," Irving stresses the control that the women of the Hollow exercise over the creation of tales and the naming of place and circumstance. This "lap of land" is deceptively inviting, and the "brook that glides through it" may murmur one to repose, but it is a region the fertility of which is belied by the "angry echoes" of a violent history. In one reading of the "Legend," a sincere but inept schoolmaster sees his romantic overtures trampled by his vain beloved's preference for a crass, brutish thug. However, this is not the parable that Irving composed, nor the battle of principles that he staged. The presentation runs from 2:30-3:30 p.m. on Friday, March 23rd, in 113 Wimberly Hall. The event is free and open to the public. To arrange for disability accommodations, contact english@uwlax.edu or call 785-8295.